Dear Louisa,

I know you're probably wondering why I'm writing you this letter instead of coming to see you in person. But the truth is, when I'm with you I often find it hard to say the things I really want to and somehow end up being tongue-tied or saying something that upsets you. I have a few things I really want to say, and I don't want to muck it up, so I thought writing would be the best option.

Firstly, I want to say how sorry I am for the way I acted when I last saw you. I'd had an awful day with Pauline and the other townspeople making fun of us spending the night together, and trying to get the gossip about our evening, and I took it out on you.

I know that you love this town and the people in it, and so in the future I will try to be more understanding of that and not tell you how awful I find them.

I know we're on this journey together, trying to teach each other how to be in a relationship together, and that it's more for my benefit than yours. But I am so very grateful that you gave me another chance. I only hope I haven't mucked it up again?

If we do this, there are going to be things that we both struggle with - my tendency to jump to a medical diagnosis, yours to get frustrated at my inability to understand you... but I will give everything I have to make this work between us.

Our date to the Art Gallery will forever be etched into my memory, as I have never experienced anything as amazing as the night I spent with you. I have had girlfriends, or lovers in the past, but it's never been about anything other than physical release. Even thinking back to medical school, where I had a girlfriend who I asked to marry me, it was always so clinical... so neat... so convenient. Being with you I finally understand what it means to 'make love' to someone. I love you Louisa, I think I have loved you from the moment I saw you. If someone had asked me before I came to Portwenn, I would have said that I was content on my own. Now if someone were to ask, I can no longer contemplate such a solitary existence without you.

I've never been drawn to anyone like I am to you. You are the brightest part of my day, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive this grumpy, rude, but well-meaning man, who is desperately in love with you.

You have my heart, now and forever.

Martin Ellingham.

P.S. I hope you like the flowers. I wasn't sure which ones were your favourite? I hope these ones will do until I can add your favourite flowers to my "Likes and Dislikes" list.

Louisa wiped the tears away from her eyes, and glanced over at the daisies sitting on the table. She'd heard the doorbell ring earlier tonight, and going to answer it she found no one there but a bunch of flowers with a note attached, lying on the mat.

She knew instantly it was from Martin, his handwriting so familiar to her. She hadn't known what to expect when opening the letter, and certainly what she'd just read was so far from what she ever thought she'd receive from Martin she didn't quite know what to do.

It was a love letter. She'd received a love letter from Martin Ellingham! She smiled at this and held the letter to her chest. He was an amazing man. She knew how hard it would have been for him to write this to her, and he'd done it anyway. After their disagreement the other day, Louisa had made her way home, proud of herself that she hadn't snapped back at Martin when he was clearly in a mood. She thought she'd give him time to calm down before popping over to see him after a few days. Never in her wildest dreams did she think he would do this!

This was a testament to how much he wanted things to work between them. That such a private, taciturn man could layout his feelings for her in a letter was astounding. And what he'd said about their night together! That night had been one of the best of her life. She had no idea what to expect with him, and certainly his knowledge of anatomy had served her very well. What had surprised her the most, however, was how well they'd fit together, how gentle and passionate he was, and just how right it felt to be together like that.

She agreed with what he'd said. She could no longer see her future without him in it. Glancing at her watch, and deciding that she didn't care how late it was, Louisa jumped up, dropped the letter on the table and ran out the door.